Geochemical Study Of The Mamainse Point Rhyolites, Algoma District, Ontario

Abstract

<p> A series of shallow intrusive and extrusive silicic volcanic rocks near Mamainse Point, Ontario, were sampled and analyzed for major and trace elements. The rocks are mainly fine grained, silicified rhyolites grading to dacites containing phenocrysts of quartz and feldspar. The analyses performed (XRF, AAS) indicate that many of these rocks have been altered from the normal igneous spectrum of rocks to potassic keratophyres. An enrichment in potash from potash metasomatism has accompanied low grade, burial metamorphism to produce a secondary mineral assemblage including chlorite, carbonate, and sericite. Local intense alteration of some rocks involved the depletion of mobile alkalis and addition of water and co2 to form calcite and kaolin. The overall field and chemical evidence suggest a single magmatic source for these rocks. </p>